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I am amazed when I discover Godly faith in one that I had judged to be lacking. I have found it in one struggling with an addiction. I know that sounds like a contradiction but just because one is struggling with something does not mean faith is completely lacking. I have found it in the voices of children and in the simple uneducated and unexperienced person tucked away somewhere from the world.

 

Jesus was even amazed when He discovered faith in an unusual place. Jesus encountered a Roman centurion’s faith He marveled at in Matthew 8:10 NIV, 10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed (marveled at) and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.”

 

Jesus was stilling looking for a quiet place where He and His disciples could rest and debrief after a few stressed filled days. During this time they were pressed with ministry needs, healed a demonic of a legion of demons, fought and quieted a storm, argued with Jewish religious leaders and walked a couple days to the area of Tyre and Sidon. Think of this area sort of like Israel and Palestine today.

 

While there they encountered a Canaanite Woman whose daughter was suffering terribly from demon possession. Matthew 15:22 NIV tells us, “A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.’” She probably stood at a distance, like we are told lepers had to do, begging Jesus for mercy.  She must have had some knowledge and faith in Jesus for she called Him the “Son of David”. That’s Jewish Messiah language and a sign of faith. Strange place to find such faith, but she impresses Jesus even more.

 

Jesus never left a teaching moment just hanging so He does something really interesting. Matthew 15:23 NIV, 23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” This is so not like Jesus to ignore a plea for mercy from one with a great need. He’s responded many times in the past so, why silent now? I wonder if He looked at His disciples with a “what do you want me to do with her” look. Not sensing her faith, the Disciples just wanted to send her away. I can almost see Jesus shaking His head wondering if they were ever going to get it.

 

Jesus continues His teaching moment in Mark 7:27 NIV, 27 “First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” Can you imagine the Disciples agreeing with Jesus justifying their statement to just send her away. Just get rid of her. Push her to the side and keep going Jesus. But Matthew tells us she approached Jesus at this time, knelt at His feet, and simply said, “Lord, help me”. What did she hear? Jesus didn’t use an absolute, final denial or even silence and just walk away. I think she heard the word “First” and knew a second was available.

 

Jesus was using Parable language here, so she does something completely unexpectant and marvelous. She puts herself into Jesus’ parable. She didn’t get mad or even insulted but said in Mark 7:28 NIV, “Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” She heard Jesus use the Greek word for a loved household pet rather than the word for scavenger dogs. She understood these pets were loved in the family. She understood she was not coming to Jesus as a son or daughter with any rights or demands. But she also understood there was love and mercy available for even her.

 

Matthew 15:28 NIV, 28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment. She had more faith in Jesus at this time then even His disciples.  She understood Jesus’ heart and purpose deeper than the disciples. This from a surprising Canaanite woman who had faith necessary to believe.

 

The disciples want to push her to the side and go on with their lives. The disciples judged her as needy and lacking. Jesus saw her need and desired to fill it. I think He always intended on answering her plea for mercy. I’m not sure He didn’t go to this area just for her like the woman at the well. See, Jesus is very good at planting seeds. He planted a seed in Samaria, in the country of Gerasene, and now he has planted a seed in the area of Tyre and Sidon.

 

Where the Jewish people could not accept Jesus as the Messiah, she had no problem with it.  Where the Jewish people saw nothing good in the Gentiles, she knew enough Scripture and that it taught that God loved all mankind. Where the Jews knew only the laws and their religious ceremonies, this woman knew the heart of God.

 

Randy Harwood, Pastor, Spokane First Baptist Church